Trouble in Paradise
Posted by Christiane Lauterbach | August 20th, 2010 | Filed under News
The City of Atlanta Police Department revokes the vending permit it just granted to the Yumbii truck to operate on the public right of way (typically at 5th and Spring in Tech Square), claiming that such permit was issued in error!
The owner and his supportive family are scrambling to find a comparable (highly visible) spot on private property and resume a business granted full approval by the Fulton County Health Department.
Unincorporated DeKalb County, meanwhile, prohibits vending entirely, and many locations (including the Emory campus and many large buildings) are tied to preexisting food service contracts and can’t align themselves with the demands of an enthusiastic public.
What is it going to take, Atlanta? Don’t you know that the street food movement is growing by leaps and bounds as seen on the Food Network’s new show the Great Food Truck Race.
Orleagian Snowball Truck Shuttered?
Posted by Hillary Brown | August 11th, 2010 | Filed under Carts, News
Reader Boyd Baker sent us a tip that the Orleagian Snowball truck at the corner of Ponce and Moreland may be closed. Here’s what he said:
I was at the Snowball truck at Ponce & Moreland this afternoon when a City official told them they had to close until they had a health certificate. They had a license but the poor kid running the thing knew nothing else. I thought I overheard the man say it’d be a $5k fine if they opened without a health cert. When I talked to the kid, all he could say was, “This truck has been open 3 years.”
Let us know if it’s open or not.
[Photo courtesy of their Flickr stream.]
Compatriots
Posted by Christiane Lauterbach | August 9th, 2010 | Filed under News
Jennifer and John Maley, who live in Ansley Park and run the Atlanta food blog Food We’ve Eaten, linked us last week in a blog post on street food. John writes,
Personally, I think there’s something really appealing to being able to walk down the street and pick up a hot dog, or a burro pollo, and enjoy it al fresco. There’s none of the experiential overhead of a restaurant to deal with (waiters, counters, decor, elevator music, etc.). It’s just about the food. Plus, when everyone is forced to improvise seating, you end up a little more connected to the people around you, even if you don’t necessarily talk to them.
We agree!
The Political Process
Posted by Christiane Lauterbach | July 30th, 2010 | Filed under News
Given the chance to decide between a candidate who likes street food and one who is mum on the subject, go for the one who will make delicious things happen.
Joan Garner, candidate for Fulton County Commissioner District 6, showed up at the Urban Picnic in front of the Sweet Auburn Curb Market. If elected, she will align herself with Kwanza Hall and support legislation freeing up opportunities for the food truck community to thrive in the city of Atlanta.
Look at Ms. Garner moving between the Yumbii Korean taco truck, the popsicle cart of the King of Pops, and Hayley Richardson’s adorable Artichoke Bliss tricycle cart and follow your intuition: the woman loves food and supports young entrepreneurs. Vote for her August 10 (or early, August 2-6) in the runoff election for District 6, which includes much of intown Atlanta.
Kwanzaa Saves the Day
Posted by Christiane Lauterbach | June 15th, 2010 | Filed under News
You may have noticed a break in the sequence of picnics organized at the Sweet Auburn Curb Market to promote street food culture on the last Friday of the month.
A permitting issue rose its ugly head and the picnic slated for Memorial Day weekend had to be canceled.
Thanks to the joint efforts of Pamela Joiner, the Market’s fiercely smart manager, and Councilman Kwanza Hall who stepped up to the plate as an official sponsor, the event will resume on Friday, June 25, and be held every month until at least October with the City’s blessing.
This official letter of sponsorship and the Councilman’s blessed signature renew our hope for city-approved vending!
